Thai jewelry exports to hit Bt90-100 bn in 2012

NONTHABURI, September 13 (TNA) - The Ministry of Commerce says that Thailand's exports of gems and jewelry are likely to reach 90-100 billion baht totally this year. The official projection was announced Thursday morning when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinwatra presided over a ceremony to open the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair 2012, the 50th of its kind, at the Impact Trade and Exhibition Centre in Muang Thong Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok. The annual fair is aimed to be a focal stage to drive the Thai gems and jewelry industry to the global arena and to sustain confidence in Thai gems and jewelry and the industry on the world market. 3,000 booths of local gems and jewelry firms are participating in this year's 50th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, set to be held from September 13-17. The yearly fair has been proclaimed one of the world's top five but the number one event, in terms of its participating firms, in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).(TNA)